 Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. She was a full time mom, wife, medical assistant...and fighter. Why a full time fighter? Because she didn't just battle inside the ring. Her biggest fight was outside of the cage. And she did NOT go gentle into that good night... Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, with only 2-5 years left to enjoy, she didn't back down or sit back and feel sorry for herself. Instead this remarkable lady took women's MMA by storm and set an example for future female fighters. Armed with strength of will, the love of her family and a huge dose of support from people in the WMMA community, like Sam Wilson, Lacey Neher and Janet Martin, Mia continued to train and fight. She went 3-0-0 as an ammy - practically willing herself to beat the disease. On Sunday afternoon she sucumbed. It was the only battle she lost. She would go 3-0 as an amateur. Her last match was at Tuff-n-uff MMA in Vegas a year ago, getting a first round TKO victory over Brittany Griffin. In my interview of Mia, you might recall that when I asked her "Why do you keep training and fighting? It must be hard on you physically, mentally and more! Isn't it time to rest?" She answered: "It's not a matter of why do I KEEP doing it. To not do it now would be quitting. What kind of example would I be to my kids?" That pretty much sums it up. MIA: a Mighty Intimidating Athlete. But she was also a full time mom, wife, medical assistant, fighter...and inspiration. Mia also told me she loved the new colors of the TUFF website: purple and pink, and that I "shouldn't change a thing!" I plan on leaving it this way for a while. According to Lacey over at Real Women and Men's MMA, Mia's family is holding a Celebration of Life Memorial on Friday in Victorville, California. Per Lacey: "...at the request of her children they didn't want anyone to wear black. Her 7 children ask that everyone wear Pink and Purple. For those of us who can't attend, we should do the same. Put on your pink and purple on Friday in honor of Mia. I have another request, Please take a picture of yourself in your pink and purple and post it to the Prayers for Mighty Mia Facebook page or our FB page Real Women and Men watch MMA. Let's show everyone how Ms. Mia has touched our lives." The Memorial service is as follows: Mia's Celebration of Life Friday 10 AM Destiny Christian Church 14380 Amargosa Road Victorville, California 92392 Mia and her husband Youssouf Camara had a total of seven children. Recently Camara resigned from his job care for Mia and their children - and their finances have suffered as a result. To help the family get back on their feet, a fund has been setup for them. Please help by donating what you can, how you can. Checks, made out to "Youssouf Camara," can be mailed to: Mighty Mia Hayes Family 15610 Bowstring St. Victorville, CA 92394 Please enjoy this video of Mia's last fight. |
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Katrina Belcher: MIA - Mighty Intimidating Athlete - Hayes
